"Hurry up, hurry up, wuwuwu, I'm afraid I'll be killed by that strange god," Paimon wailed anxiously, with tears streaming down her face as she pushed Takumi's shoulders.
Takumi grabbed Paimon's starry cloak and held her in his hand. "There's no use being anxious, it's a big matter. Let's go, little Paimon."
"Coral Palace Xinyan, lead the way," Takumi commanded.
Coral Palace Xinyan quickly replied, "Yes, Lord Takumi." Hearing the special name Takumi used for her, she couldn't help but recall the time she spent with the Lord God. Back then, she thought wildly that Lord Takumi might want her to become a Miko. But Takumi said that she must first become a god—how could she possibly achieve that as an ordinary human?
Takumi grabbed Paimon and walked slowly toward Yashiori Island. Paimon scratched her hands anxiously, "Hey! Bad guy, why are you walking so slowly?"
Takumi gave Paimon a wicked smile. "Little Paimon, if you don't listen to me, I might just eat you, even if you are so young."
Paimon covered her mouth in horror and shook her head, "Uuuu... It's true..."
"Wuwuwu, Lumine... I wish you were here. It's too scary," Paimon murmured.
Coral Palace Xinyan glanced at Takumi, who was teasing Paimon, and couldn't help but laugh. Lord Takumi still liked teasing others, just like always. However, she knew he didn't mean to harm Paimon, but... thinking of this, her face turned red with random thoughts.
Paimon is so small, how could he...
Before she could continue her thoughts, Coral Palace Xinyan noticed Takumi looking at her playfully. In an instant, her ears turned red. "Oh no, Lord Takumi can read minds!" she panicked. "Why am I thinking like this again?"
"Not bad, your fourth destiny star is about to light up," Takumi said playfully. "If you complete two more missions, you might become a god. Then, I'll accept you as a Miko. I'd like to see you swimming in the water, Coral Palace."
Coral Palace Xinyan's face instantly turned bright red, and her eyes widened. "Lord Takumi... what are you talking about?" she thought, embarrassed.
She hadn't been informed about the 'World Devouring Plan' by Raiden Shogun. She only caught the latter part of what Takumi said.
Paimon wiped away her tears and glanced at Takumi, who was holding her. She decided to stay quiet—making him angry was definitely not good for her.
After descending from Yashiori Island, they saw Nahida and Kamisato Ayaka together. Nahida was curious about the cultural life in Inazuma City and wanted to learn more. Since she appeared as a child, Kamisato Ayaka thought she was a lost child from some family. Considering Nahida's youthful and innocent appearance, Ayaka took the initiative to befriend her.
After arriving in Mondstadt, Nahida did not claim to be a god; she simply said she was from Sumeru, leaving her identity ambiguous. There was little chance anyone would guess she was actually a deity. Though there were many gods in the world—even three in Inazuma—the gods were still distant from people's daily lives.
Takumi didn't take his time as he headed for Watatsumi Island. Watatsumi Island was originally the place leading to the 'White Night Kingdom.' A massive whirlpool had formed there, but it moved slowly enough that anyone who accidentally fell in could still swim to safety.
A chilling roar came from the whirlpool.
"Ahhhhh..."
Takumi grabbed Paimon and jumped in, causing her to scream. Beneath the whirlpool was the original 'Sea Abyss,' but now it had become the 'Resting Place' that led to the 'Underworld.' The dragon lizards here had entirely become creatures of the Underworld. Under normal circumstances, they would not attack people entering the area. Evil spirits attempting to escape from the Underworld would be swallowed by them.
The roar of the dragon lizards echoed through the Resting Place.
This was the source of the strange sounds on Watatsumi Island.
Paimon grabbed Takumi's sleeve tightly. "Wow wow wow! What a scary sound! I was so scared when I came out alone before!"
Takumi chuckled, "Did you wet your pants?"
Paimon turned red with anger. "I did not wet my pants! I won't wet my pants!"
Takumi tutted. "Lumine is really reckless. This place is called the 'Resting Place,' and it is one of the few passages connecting the Underworld to the surface world. Even a god must obey the rules of the Underworld to enter."
Paimon shivered. "The Underworld... is that the place everyone goes to after death?"
Takumi grinned evilly. "That's right. If you follow me into the Underworld and I get unhappy, I might just throw you in."
Paimon grabbed Takumi's sleeves even more desperately. "I'll be good! I promise I'll be very good! Please don't leave me there."
Takumi rolled his eyes. "Compared to my Ishtar, you are far less obedient. My Ishtar listens to me without complaint."
Paimon felt a surge of frustration and dissatisfaction. "No way! I'm definitely more useful than that guy. I'm the best!"
Takumi looked amused. "Oh? How will you prove it?"
Paimon paused, puzzled. How could she prove she was better than that annoying Ishtar?
---
**Underworld**
Deep within the Underworld, there was a grand city that was no smaller than the main cities of the Seven Nations. The buildings had various architectural styles from across the Seven Nations, and the city was divided into seven urban districts, each managing a subordinate world area.
At the city's center was a massive, thousand-meter-wide, colorful vortex known as the 'Reincarnation Passage.' Below the vortex stood the 'Temple of Hades,' the residence of the main gods of the Underworld.
In each urban area, Maricata had recruited talented individuals from the Seven Nations to serve as recordkeepers, who would record and judge the good and evil deeds of all spirits. These 'recordkeepers' were all deceased individuals, granted a small amount of divine power by Maricata to become beings akin to spirits.
She had also brought the 'Flower Spirits' to the Underworld, acting as her messengers to convey various decrees. Additionally, if she found capable and benevolent souls, she would use them as well.
As a deity who had once taught human civilization, Maricata easily established the Underworld's administrative system. Havria was in charge of rewarding good souls or arranging their reincarnation. Those who didn't wish to be reincarnated stayed to help build the Underworld, while those willing to be reborn were given favorable opportunities.
At this time, Lumine was reluctantly carrying records of the deceased from different worlds, working alongside the Flower Spirits.
Lumine groaned in frustration. "Why is this happening...? Even if I have to atone for my mistakes, sealing my elemental power is going too far!"
She could still feel her power sealed away by a mysterious god. What was going on?
Not only was her power sealed, but she also had to work in the Underworld for a thousand years before being allowed to leave. A thousand years! Just the thought of it made her head spin.